Overview

The teaching and learning methods used in school provide all pupils with varied learning opportunities. Individual differences and needs are recognised and the learning environment is designed to motivate and challenge all of our pupils. Appropriate teaching styles for individuals, groups and whole classes are employed throughout the school. Children are encouraged to solve problems and think for themselves. We organise themed weeks in school for science, maths, and music to promote opportunities for cross curricular learning in a broad and balanced curriculum.

You will receive a termly curriculum target plan at the start of each term that outlines what your child will be learning and you will be invited to attend parents evening s, so that you can learn more about the school curriculum and learn how to work alongside your child to support their learning.

There are three stages to primary school education.

• Foundation Stage (Reception Class)
• Key Stage One
• Key Stage Two

The Curriculum - Foundation Stage

Foundation Stage

Our aim is to provide a caring, happy, purposeful and challenging environment in which children can feel secure and confident. Learning takes place through structured play and through the provision of a wide range of planned experiences, helping children to develop their independence and social skills as sound foundations for their life-long learning.

The Curriculum - Years 1 and 2

Key Stage One

Key Stage One covers Years 1and 2 (children aged 5 to 7). Year 1 is a time of transition and the 'Transition Curriculum' is carefully planned to help children move from the Foundation Stage curriculum to the National Curriculum.

The children continue to learn through structured learning activities, with the more 'formal' literacy and numeracy sessions gradually introduced. At the end of Year 2, our pupils undertake the Key Stage 1 national assessment tasks or tests (SATs) which all 7 year old children take.

The Curriculum - Years 3 to 6

Key Stage Two

Key Stage Two covers Years 3 to 6 (children aged 7 to 11) where we continue to build upon the firm foundations already established. Our aim is to develop within our pupils the skills they need to be confident, effective and reflective learners. Such skills include those of reasoning, problem solving and self assessment.

We wish our pupils to become active, creative learners rather than passive receivers of information. At the end of Year 6, pupils undertake the Key Stage 2 tests (SATs).

Supporting Your Child's Learning

Homework

We are committed to forming a close working relationship with parents, to provide a 'partnership approach' to education and the wider issues this brings. We welcome the support of parents and would like to involve you in the learning process as much as possible. Homework is an area we wish to encourage in a positive way as we believe that your interest, encouragement and sharing of time with your child is of the greatest value in his or her overall development. For this reason, we hope the ideas and advice in our homework policy be of benefit to you. We welcome comments you may have or questions you would like to ask about homework. In a partnership we always hope for two-way communication.

Reading

Reading - it's your child's ticket to everywhere! Establishing a good reading routine is essential! One of the most important things you can do for your child is develop their love of books early on in life. It really is key to their future learning and success.

• Children naturally copy what they see their parents doing, so lead by example. The more you read, the more they'll read! Books, magazines, newspapers, football results, recipes, e-mails, instruction manuals, birthday cards - it doesn't matter what you read, it will show reading as an enjoyable, useful skill worth having (not just as a chore associated with school and homework).
• Settling down together with a good storybook is a special, quality time that enables you to bond with your child. It's the perfect time for them to open up and tell you how they feel or what they've been doing, so make sure there are no distractions.
• Turn off the TV, put your mobile on silent and choose a time for story telling when you don't have to multi-task or rush.
• 10 to 15 minutes of reading together is enough, unless your child asks for more. Little and often is the key to success. Try to make reading with your child a pleasurable daily activity which, over time,
• Don't force them to read with you - it's a sure-fire way to put them off books altogether.
• Let your child experience as many different kinds of reading material as possible - picture books, pop-up books, rhyming books, comics, magazines, story books and factual books.
• It's important that your child reads aloud to you, even after they're able to read fluently. You can still read aloud to them too. It helps them to use their imagination, build concentration and develop comprehension, as practice helps children really get into the story without having to stop and work out new words.